Play sax with feeling!
How to play saxophone with feeling – make your solos sing
Everyone says you need to “play with feeling” – but what does that actually mean on the saxophone?
In this tutorial I break it down into practical elements you can actually work on. You’ll learn:
✅ How to use dynamics to shape your phrases
✅ How articulation transforms the same line into harsh or tender
✅ How time & rhythm (behind or ahead of the beat) changes the feel
✅ How to use tone colour & subtone for intimacy or excitement
✅ The power of phrasing & call-and-response to make your solos conversational
✅ Why note choices & space matter more than playing lots of notes
✅ How to set an emotional intention so every note tells a story
✅ How vibrato adds warmth and gloss to your sound
Downloads:
By the end of this lesson you’ll know exactly what “playing with feeling” means — and have clear exercises to develop it in your own playing.
(Thanks to SessionBand Soul Jazz Funk 3 for the backing track)
If vibrato is new to you, watch my tutorial here:
Today I’m diving deep into one of the most important aspects of saxophone playing – developing a great sound! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your tone, this video covers everything you need to know.